The Border Patrol agent known for leading an immigration crackdown in Los Angeles, Gregory Bovino, arrived in Chicago on Tuesday. His arrival may indicate a new phase of increased enforcement in the city, following an announcement last week about stepped-up operations.
“Well, Chicago, we’ve arrived!” Bovino said in a post on X that included video footage of Customs and Border Protection vehicles entering the city and agents walking through downtown. “Operation At Large is here to continue the mission we started in Los Angeles.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was also present in Chicago. She stated that Department of Homeland Security officers made several arrests early Tuesday morning and posted videos showing armed agents detaining individuals at a residence.
“Our work is only beginning,” Noem said on X.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly promised to send more immigration enforcement agents and National Guard troops to Chicago, despite objections from local leaders and residents. There have been reports of an increase in enforcement activity as Trump targets cities with Democratic leadership.
Trump’s position on deploying military personnel to Chicago has shifted multiple times. After initially indicating he would focus elsewhere, he again stated Tuesday that such a deployment could happen soon.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticized Trump’s comments regarding military intervention. “It’s hard to believe anything he says,” Pritzker told reporters.
Officials have not provided details about the scope or focus of the operation referenced by Bovino. A spokesman for a nearby military base confirmed only limited logistical support for federal agents but did not elaborate further.
“Teams have spread across Chicago to go after targets,” Bovino told The Associated Press. He added that Noem observed a 5:30 a.m. raid resulting in five arrests.
Recent enforcement actions have led some members of Chicago’s immigrant communities to cancel or postpone events marking Mexican Independence Day due to safety concerns. Tensions remain high after an ICE officer fatally shot a man allegedly evading arrest last week.
Pritzker objected to federal intervention and criticized Bovino’s tactics as violent and discriminatory. “They are grabbing people who have brown skin or who speak with an accent or who speak another language and not people who are guilty of or are accused of perpetrating a crime,” Pritzker said.
He also suggested that the administration is using these actions to provoke tensions as justification for sending the National Guard into Chicago.
Bovino previously led what he called a “turn and burn” operation in Los Angeles, which resulted in thousands of arrests starting June 6 without prior notice. Tactics included breaking car windows, forcing entry into homes, and patrolling public areas like MacArthur Park on horseback.
In recent days, Bovino has increased his social media presence related to his activities in Chicago, highlighting media coverage and responding directly to critics using references from popular music associated with the city.
Mayor Brandon Johnson stated he had not communicated directly with federal officials about these operations and reiterated that local police would not cooperate with immigration authorities. He signed an executive order supporting protest rights as a symbolic gesture against federal action. “In the event that the federal government tramples on the Constitution, our police department has a responsibility to make sure we’re protecting our democracy,” Johnson said.
Both Johnson and Pritzker have indicated they plan legal action if there is further federal intervention. Noem maintained that DHS will continue its efforts without backing down.
Before Bovino’s arrival, DHS reported approximately two dozen arrests since ICE began its latest operation earlier this month; however, advocacy groups claim actual numbers are higher, citing over 15 arrests in one suburb alone on Monday. ICE officials did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.
U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood reported that arrests began September 6—two days before public announcement of “Operation Midway Blitz”—and that 250 people have been detained so far in the Chicago area. Underwood said she received confirmation from ICE that this program covers all of Illinois as well as Lake County, Indiana.
